Prediction of significant coronary artery disease in acute chest pain without infarction in emergency department: MAPAC Cardio-PreTest model.

Acute nontraumatic chest pain is a frequent reaso n for consultation in emergency departments and represents a diagnostic challenge. The objective is to estimate the risk of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with cardiogenic acute chest pain for whom the diagnosis of infarction was ruled out in the emergency department with a nondiagnostic ECG and negative high-sensitivity troponins. We prospectively recruited 1625 patients from emergency departments of seven Spanish hospitals. The outcome was presence of significant CAD determined by presence of ischaemia in functional tests or more than 70% stenosis in imaging tests. In this study, we developed a predictive model and evaluated its performance and clinical utility. The prevalence of significant CAD was 14% [227/1625; 95% confidence interval (CI), 12-16]. MAPAC Cardio-PreTest model included seven predictors: age, sex, smoking, history of hypertension, family history of CAD, history of hyperuricaemia, and type of chest pain. The optimism-adjusted model discrimination was C-statistic 0.654 (95% CI, 0.618-0.693). Calibration plot showed good agreement between the predicted and observed risks, and calibration slope was 0.880 (95% CI, 0.731-1.108) and calibration-in-the-large -0.001 (95% CI, -0.141 to 0.132). The model increased net benefit and improved risk classification over the recommended approach by the European Society of Cardiology [Net Reclassification Index (NRI) of events = 5.3%, NRI of nonevents = 7.0%]. MAPAC Cardio-PreTest model is an online prediction tool to estimate the individualised probability of significant CAD in patients with acute chest pain without a diagnosis of infarction in emergency department. The model was more useful than the current alternatives in helping patients and clinicians make individually tailored choices about the intensity of monitoring or additional coronary tests.

Pseudoaneurisma de la arteria facial como complicación de un absceso parafaríngeo. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Pseudoaneurysm of the facial artery as a complication of parapharyngeal abscess. Presentation of a case and review of the literature

Un pseudoaneurisma constituye una dilatación sacular vascular que implica un defecto a nivel de la íntima y la capa media, manteniendo continuidad de la adventicia. Las dilataciones aneurismáticas de la arteria carótida extracraneal son raras, encontrándose entre sus causas traumatismos, infecciones y complicaciones iatrogénicas. Su tratamiento, recomendado en todos los casos, incluye la cirugía tradicional, la colocación de stent y la embolización. El riesgo de rotura implica una mortalidad de hasta el 30 %. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 86 años derivada a Urgencias por cuadro de cinco días de odinofagia asociado a tumefacción dolorosa submandibular evidenciándose en el TC una colección parafaríngea compatible con absceso, en cuyo interior se objetivó una estructura vascular aumentada de calibre sugestiva de pseudoaneurisma. Se realizó una arteriografía que confirmó la presencia de una dilatación sacular compatible con pseudoaneurisma a nivel submandibular izquierdo, dependiente de la rama palatina ascendente de la arteria facial. Esta lesión se embolizó mediante coils para posteriormente realizarse drenaje y desbridamiento quirúrgico del absceso submaxilar. La evolución posterior fue satisfactoria. La presencia de una lesión poco frecuente pero con alta mortalidad en un cuadro clínico habitual en la práctica clínica pone de manifiesto la relevancia del estudio mediante TC a cargo de profesionales experimentados. La colaboración en estos casos entre radiólogos y cirujanos de cabeza y cuello resulta imprescindible. (AU)

A pseudoaneurysm is a vascular saccular dilatation that involves a defect at the level of the intima and the medial layer, maintaining continuity of the adventitia. Aneurysmal dilatations of the extracranial carotid artery are rare, with trauma, infection and iatrogenic complications among their causes. Their treatment, recommended in all cases, includes traditional surgery, stenting and embolization. The risk of rupture implies a mortality of up to 30 %. We present the case of an 86-year-old woman referred to the Emergency Department with five days of odynophagia associated with painful submandibular swelling, showing in CT a parapharyngeal collection compatible with abscess, inside which an enlarged vascular structure suggestive of pseudoaneurysm was observed. Arteriography confirmed the presence of a saccular dilatation compatible with pseudoaneurysm at the left submandibular region, dependent on the ascending palatine branch of the facial artery. This lesion was embolized by coils and later drainage and surgical debridement of the submaxillary abscess was performed. Subsequent evolution was satisfactory. The presence of an infrequent lesion but with high mortality in a common clinical condition highlights the relevance of CT study by experienced professionals. Collaboration in these cases between radiologists and head and neck surgeons is essential. (AU)

Imaging Assessment of Ectopic Gas Collections.

Ectopic gas is defined as the presence of gas in abnormal locations, that is, outside the aerodigestive tract. It constitutes a common radiologic finding associated with a wide range of disorders. Although it is usually an innocuous and self-limited condition, it should prompt a search for the underlying cause, given that the clinical significance of ectopic gas varies from benign to life threatening, depending on the site involved and the rate of accumulation. To ensure optimal management of each case, the origin of ectopic gas should be determined. The search for its exact location and underlying cause often represents a challenge, as air can be depicted distant from its point of origin because of fascial interconnectivity. Thorough knowledge of anatomic compartments facilitates quick identification of the cause and contributes to a prompt diagnosis. Likewise, radiologists should be familiar with the alarm signs associated with severe conditions. Imaging studies are essential to help the radiologist confirm the diagnosis of ectopic gas, determine its precise location and extension, identify severe cases, exclude associated complications, and monitor evolution. CT is the modality of choice in the imaging assessment of ectopic gas. In this review, the authors discuss the different causes of ectopic gas with an etiopathogenic approach to describe the myriad processes that might give rise to this condition. In addition, alarm signs associated with potentially fatal ectopic gas are described and depicted. ©RSNA, 2020.

Internal Carotid Artery Web as the Cause of Recurrent Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke.

Carotid artery web is considered an exceptional cause of recurrent ischemic strokes in the affected arterial territory. The underlying pathology proposed for this entity is an atypical fibromuscular dysplasia. We present the case of a 43-year-old woman with no cardiovascular risk factors who had experienced 2 cryptogenic ischemic strokes in the same arterial territory within an 11-month period. Although all diagnostic tests initially yielded normal results, detailed analysis of the computed tomography angiography images revealed a carotid web; catheter angiography subsequently confirmed the diagnosis. Carotid surgery was performed, since which time the patient has remained completely asymptomatic. The histological finding of intimal hyperplasia is consistent with previously reported cases of carotid artery web. Carotid artery web is an infrequent cause of stroke, and this diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion plus a detailed analysis of vascular imaging studies.